The number of overseas vessels ordered by domestic shipbuilding companies last year decreased by about 20% compared to the previous year due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the second lowest level in the last 10 years.
According to the Japan Ship Export Association, last year, domestic shipbuilding companies and trading companies received orders, and after completion, the total number of ships with a volume of 500 gross tons or more was 146.
Orders were down 23% from the previous year.
In the last 10 years, the level was the lowest after 75 vessels in 2016, and it seems that the main reason is that business negotiations did not proceed due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
In particular, from April to August, when the infection of the new coronavirus spread in Japan and overseas, the number of orders received per month remained at a single digit, resulting in sluggish growth.
In the shipbuilding industry, Chinese and South Korean manufacturers have increased their cost competitiveness and increased orders with the strong support of the country, and Japan is separated by share.
Major domestic shipbuilders have decided to focus on developing ships with high environmental performance in line with the trend of decarbonization, but the issue is whether they can recover from the difficult situation.